It’s a sad day in music, particularly hip-hop. Chris Lighty, 44, was found dead in his Bronx apartment this morning from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Daily News. Lighty was influential in hip-hop as an executive and longtime manager of 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule and Mariah Carey. Details surrounding his death haven’t been confirmed, but police sources told the Daily News the self-inflicted gunshot wound occurred during an argument with his ex-wife. It’s suspected that Lighty was having financial troubles and could have owed up to 5 million dollars to the IRS. Hip-hop artists and industry insiders have expressed their condolences on Twitter. Read more…

Don’t ask Will Smith to freestyle and think he won’t step up to the challenge. RapUp.com posted the video of Smith’s recent visit to 106 & Park to promote his new movie Men In Black III. Host Terrence J started beatboxing, and it was on! Smith returned to his rapping roots delivering a short witty freestyle with few funny punchlines. Read more…